BIDDEFORD — La Fete du Printemps is a community arts and culture program which began in Biddeford three years ago to showcase Franco-American creativity and local history.

John Maxson, 44, is a Biddeford native living in nearby Bar Mills. He’s an organizer and contact person for La Fete du Printemps (Festival of Spring). Events are scheduled for the weekend of March 25-27 in Biddeford’s City Theater (Salle de l’Opera).  All events are free and open to the public.

Maxson says he is proud of his Franco-American “pedigree.” His passion for French-American history inspires him to participate in French and Indian War reenactment events.  He takes part in reenactments at historical sites like Pemaquid and Fort Ticonderoga, NY.

Maxson says his upbringing was traditional Franco-American.  French was spoken in his Biddeford home.  He attended St. Joseph’s primary parochial school and graduated from Biddeford High School. Of course, he played youth ice hockey.

Maxson became an organizer of this year’s La Fete because of his interest in Franco-American history and his role as president of Biddeford’s French-Canadian organization “Societe St. Jean-Baptiste de Bienfaisance,” a cultural benevolent and social organization.  Maxson’s late father, Edward Maxson, was the Societe’s former president.

Community organizers of this year’s La Fete include State Rep. Alan Casavant, playwright and performer Greg Chabot and Biddeford City Manager John Bubier. 

This is Biddeford’s third annual Franco-American celebration of culture.  Three years ago it was called “Franco-American Portrait.”

“Our program efforts have undergone a lively makeover over the past three years, including our new name and line-up of events,” says Maxson.

“La Fete supports programs that bring community awareness to the creativity of the Franco-American culture,” he says.   “We want to build awareness about the many entertaining facets of Franco-American culture, like visual art, music and the performing arts.” 

Music is an important part of this year’s program because concerts are a natural way of bringing people together, says Maxson.

La Fete du Printemps programs begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 25 with a folk art exhibit by the Biddeford wood carver Adelard Cote (1889-1974). The exhibit features work donated by Biddeford’s Normand Beaupre and the La Kermesse Franco-American committee.  At 8 p.m., traditional music will be performed in concert by the French Canadian/Acadian group Boreal Tordu. 

Franco-American story teller and actor Michael Parent of Lewiston will perform his humorous story, “A Beautiful Game,” in English, about growing up playing hockey in Maine.  Michele Neveux is a local actress who will perform excerpts from Biddeford writer Beaupre’s monologue “La Souillonne.”

One of  the goals of “La Fete du Printemps” is to bring young people into the Franco-American culture.  This commitment is evident in Sunday’s theater program, which features matinee and evening performances by Biddeford High School’s French students. They will perform a one-act play titled “Les Trois Anges.”  This French language story is directed by Dean Morin, chair of the Biddeford High School World Languages Department.

“The play portrays three French-Canadian angels in heaven discussing the survival of their French speaking heritage,” says Maxson.

Canadian actress Anika Lirette of New Brunswick will perform stories with a French-Acadian focus, in French.  A performing troupe, “Du Monde d’a Cote” (The People Next Door) will also perform.

Support for the free  “La Fete du Printemps” program is provided by generous grants from La Society St. Jean Baptiste de Bienfaisance, from Le Centre de la Franacophonie des Ameriques, and from the Heart of Biddeford, a civic development program.

Additional grant support comes from the Maine Arts Commission, an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.  A Biddeford community arts organization called Engine and the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance are providing media sponsorship. Check the website www.lafeteduprintemps.org or contact Maxson at levoyaguer@aol.com.

 

Copy the Story Link